Operations Lead

Transformationunitgm; Stafford; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare service in Stafford is seeking an Operations Lead to enhance drug and alcohol services. You will manage operations, drive improvements, and ensure compliance with standards. The ideal candidate will possess operational leadership skills within a health or social care setting and have a strong understanding of substance misuse services. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a real difference in people's lives, offering a supportive work environment with ongoing professional development.

Benefits

Supportive environment with ongoing professional development

Opportunity to shape impactful community services

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operational leadership within health or social care settings.
• Strong understanding of substance misuse services and recovery-focused approaches.
• Experience of partnership working and the ability to develop treatment systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations across drug and alcohol services.
• Drive service improvements and ensure compliance with standards.
• Monitor performance and outcomes to ensure service objectives are met.

Skills

Leadership skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Foundation Degree or Professional Qualification in relevant field

Management Qualification

Qualification in therapeutic skills

Job description

Employer Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust - Inclusion Services Employer type NHS Site Staffordshire STaRS Town Stafford Salary £47,810 - £54,710 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 30/01/2026 23:59

Operations Lead

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives? Do you have the leadership skills to drive operational excellence in a well‑established service with great potential? If so, we want to hear from you!

We are seeking an Operations Lead to join our dedicated Drug and Alcohol Services team working within STaRS which is a partnership across Staffordshire providing drug and alcohol services.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a service that is already highly regarded and poised for further growth and innovation. You will play a key role in ensuring the smooth delivery of high‑quality, person‑centred care, supporting the service and partnership on their journey.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a well‑established team with a strong reputation and ambitious plans for the future.
• Opportunity to shape and influence services that make a real impact in the community.
• Supportive environment with ongoing professional development.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and manage day‑to‑day operations across our drug and alcohol services.
• Drive service improvements and ensure compliance with all relevant standards and regulations.
• Work collaboratively with partners under the Section 75 Agreement, fostering strong relationships.
• Support and develop staff, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Monitor performance and outcomes to ensure the service meets its objectives.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in operational leadership within health or social care settings.
• Strong understanding of substance misuse services and recovery‑focused approaches.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead teams through change and inspire high performance.
• Experience of partnership working and the ability to develop treatment systems.

Main duties of the job

• The ability to work flexibly across the county to meet the needs to the service.
• To be responsible for the day‑to‑day management and delivery of a range of services including specialist services within Staffordshire
• To be responsible for the operational development of STaRS
• To assist in tender processes where necessary
• To be committed to working within a multi‑disciplinary service framework.
• To ensure service user involvement is embedded in all services overseen
• To Line manage HUB Leads and Management staff
• To manage and maintain county wide performance against contractual targets
• To ensure the delivery of a safe and effective service
• To be involved with the development of Inclusion’s Services.
• To represent Inclusion at all relevant meetings, conferences and functions

Working for our organisation

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Inclusion service offers psychological and drug & alcohol services, in the community, and in prisons, and has contracts across the country.

As an organisation we serve a population of 1.5 million and currently employ around 9000 members of staff.

We have a wide range of exciting opportunities for people looking to work in a truly integrated NHS organisation. By joining MPFT you will become part of a team who are empowered and supported to deliver care in a way which is consistent with our values:

• Putting people at the heart of what we do
• Empowering people to improve care and wellbeing
• Delivering better health, better care in partnership

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to job description for further responsibilities and information on:

• Service Delivery
• Staff
• Administration
• Training
• Systems and Equipment
• Decisions and Judgements
• Communication and Relationships

Person specification

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree in a related field or a professional Qualification in Social Work, Nursing, Psychology or probation or equivalent work experience.
• Management Qualification or willingness to study to undertake one
• Qualification in therapeutic skills. Knowledge of national data collection systems e.g. NDTMS.

Experience

• A sound knowledge of drugs their effects and treatment options.
• Evidence of delivering effective practice which is evidenced based.
• Commitment to and understanding of clinical governance issues.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Understanding of equal opportunities
• Ability to work with drug/alcohol users in a community environment
• Knowledge of criminal justice field
• Experience of developing shared care, hospital or pharmacy schemes

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Paul Weaver
Job title Service Manager
Email address [e-mail]
Telephone number 07974 469924

Additional information: For further information please contact Paul or if unavailable please contact:

Angela Seymour - [e-mail] 07974 470070 or

Victoria Tolliss - [e-mail] - 07974 469928